Christmas- The Gift of His presence

I have the privilege of being a contributing writer for a blog called “Jazzed 4 life esentialz” Each month there is a theme to write about. This months theme is "What is so special about Christmas." To read my thoughts click on over tohttp://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-is-so-special-about-christmas-gift.html May you have a Blessed Christmas


Melissa

A Genuine Chritmas Wish

Here we are once again right in the middle of “the most wonderful time of the year”. There are so many things that make this season special. The music, the decorations, the time spent with family and friends, the excitement of children as they make their list and check it twice- waiting expectantly, and with great anticipation for Christmas morning. Finally the calendar reads December 25th. The waiting is over. They can now unwrap the neatly packaged treasure that lay beneath the well trimmed tree, and enjoy their new gifts until their heart's content.

I am throughly enjoying all of the Christmas excitement this year. But, in the midst of it all, I can not help but think about all of the children who will wake up on Christmas morning, just like every other morning, of the year feeling alone and forgotten. Without a home or a family to call their own.

Daily they wait to be loved and accepted, but for them the waiting seams to have no end. As you go though this joyfilled time of year please commit to praying for orphaned and abandoned children around the world. Children like Vasile who have one Christmas wish this year. The wish to feel genuinely loved. (Please take a minute and read Vasile's story. He will touch your heart.)

Becaues He Loves Them,

Melissa

Vasile

Joining God in His harvest fields is a joy and an adventure. I am so unworthy of everything that He has allowed me to be a part of. I am thankful for each opportunity, and I pray for more in the year ahead.

There are so many stories that I could share from my recreant experience following God to minister to the orphans and the poor in Romania. As I recall my experiences however, one event in particular stands out vividly in my mind. It is the story of Vasile.

His distant blue eyes stared up at me. He is so young. But, the disappointments and hardships that he has experienced far exceed his three short years. He has been abandoned. He lives with 99 other children in a rundown government placement center in the Northwestern city of Oradea, Romania.

Daily he is taken advantage of by the older children. The walls that he has constructed around his heart are as thick as the concrete walls of the institution itself. Already he is skeptical that anyone could truly love him, or show even the slightest bit of genuine kindness to him. That anyone could give to him without first taking something he values away.

He stands ready to run form anyone whom he feels threatens him, or any of the meager positions that he holds dear. He feels that even the slightest bit of attention shown to him is meant negatively. He fears relationships, yet longs for a forever family.

Calmly, I approached him with a smile. He took one look at me and started to run. He looked back to see if I was chasing him. I stood where I was. I caught sight of him looking back at me, and I hid behind a nearby tree. Seconds later I popped out at him. He gave me a half smile and ran away. I stood there pondering his future as I watched him run, as fast as his little legs would carry him, to the far edge of the orphanage yard.

A short time later I saw him playing alone in the far corner of the yard. Slowly, I came up alongside him. Holding out my hand I asked him to play. He held his toys close and shook his head no. Again, I smiled and motioned for him to bring his two well worn matchbox cars over to me. He turned his back and walked away.

After several minutes he set his cars down. With some apprehension, unsure of how he would respond, I picked one of the cars up and rolled it toward him. A slight smile crossed his face as he rolled it back to me. Ever so slowly, I could see his face begin to soften.

It was not long before I had him fully engaged- rolling cars back and forth, racing them, and yes, even crashing them into each other. As we played I offered him some candy. He willingly took it form me, said he did not like it, and then asked for more.

I could see his attention begin to wander. As he got up to walk away I offered him a piece of mint gum. Without hesitation he took it from me, put it in his mouth, and ran as fast he could to tell the other children what he had. Moments later I was surrounded by children all pulling on me asking for gum.

Because of your partnership, for a short time Vasile was able to come out of his shell, forget all of his troubles and simply be a child. This experience with Vasile was the key that not only unlocked his heart to me, but it opened the door for me to engage other children as I returned several more times to the orphanage.

Vasile's story is just one of many that I could share. He is just one child, but may he stand to remind us of the 1.4 million children around the world who don't have a family, or a home to call their own.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15 NIV

Experiencing God at Panera Bread

I am now nine days away form boarding a flight and making my 5th trip to Romania to embrace the hearts of orphaned children. I have been busy going here and there tyeing up loose ends as I prepare for my departure. This past Friday I had the opportunity to meet Aubrey, my amazing ministry companion, in person. We spent about thee hours together sharing stories, doing some shopping for the children, planing ministry and simply enjoying each others company.


One experience that we shared left me completely amazed. We were sharing conversation and planning ministry over lunch at Panera Bread. As we brought the meal to a close we spent a few minutes praying together over our time in Romania. As we got up to leave, a lady sitting at a table not far from us stopped us and asked if we were Christians. We said we were, and she went on to say that she felt a presence between our tables. Then when she saw us praying she said she knew what she felt had something to do with us. We spent a few minutes talking with her and her daughter. We told them that we were meeting for the first time in person in preparation for a trip that we would be taking together to minister to orphans in Romania. Before we went our separate ways this lady took our names and told us that she would keep us in her prayers.


I guess you never know who's watching you. It makes me so much more conscious of my actions and wanting to glorify the Lord in all things. To think that simply being in a room can have an affect on someone. How much more then will my actions and words affect someone? The reality that n everything we do we either point someone toward or away from the Lord is not something to be taken lightly for sure. What a high calling it is to be known as a follower of Christ. What a privilege to be one of His own.

My Life

It’s a story I’m not worthy of, but I am grateful to be one God has chosen to make himself known through. Thank you, Kent for using your gift on my behalf.

http://esentialz.blogspot.com/2009/05/esentialz-2-stand.html

Lost get Found

It has been several weeks since I posted a song to my small little corner of the word wide web. So I have decided to take a minute to share a few thoughts and a song with you.

Over these last couple of weeks I have found myself rather overwhelmed as I continue to walk down life’s road with the challenges of Cerebral Palsy. Much is changing, and to be honest I have been struggling to stay on top of it all. More than that, I have been fighting fierce battles with discouragement and sadness. As childlike as it may sound, life just has not turned out as glamorous as I dreamed it would.

As I ponder my recent struggle with the disappointments of life, I realize that it is not God, or even this world that has changed. There have always been, and will always be, hardships in life. It is my perspective that has drifted form what I know to be true.

Whether I see it or not, God has a plan for my life. While it may not be the plan that I dreamed for my life God’s plans for me are best because His plans are for time and eternity. He crated me to tell His story, and he has given me a very unique and powerful tool to use in accomplishing that eternal purpose.

So while life can be challenging and it is often painful, I am abundantly thankful for His grace and, the ways that He has chosen to use me for His glory. I am not worthy of Him, but I pray that He will find me faithful to the end.

May my life be a bacon that the lost may be found.

Here is Britt Nicole.





On another note, if you are loking for some insperation for your days check out, and consider becoming a follower of http://esentialz.blogspot.com/


To God Be the Glory,

Melissa

Faith Like a Child

Faith Like a Child

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To hold fast unto your word.
To rest upon your promise
Amidst the shadows of life’s darkness.

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To place my dreams into your hands.
To trust your understanding;
Not what I alone can comprehend

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To stand boldly for your truth.
To rise above this world’s commands
And live out my days for you.

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To keep my eyes upon your throne.
To view these earthly moments,
As stepping-stones toward Home.

©Melissa Melvin 2009

Eight Things

Okay, it has been far too long since I posted an update to my blog. Between being sick in bed for a number of days and getting ready for my summer trip to Romania I have not had too much energy to devote to my bolg, Well today when I logged into blogger I discovered that I had been tagged by Tammy for this thing about 8 thing. So here are my 8 things. Thanks Tammy for getting me back into the world of blogging

Eight Things I look Forward To:
1. Spending part of the summer in Romania
2. VBS at my home church
3. Seeing what God has in store for my future
4.Daily spending time in prayer for those that God has blessed my life with.
5.Reading Streams in the Desert everyday
6.Receiving emails form trusted friends
7.warm sunny days
8. Spending eternity pain free and without my canes.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Watched my sisters for the afternoon
2. Read my book.
3. Checked my email.
4. Made banana bread
5. Washed dishes.
6. Sent out more support letters for Romania
7. Watched the original movie The Music Man
8. Found a friend on Facebook


8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1.Run
2.Ride a bike
3.Drive a car
4.See the ocean
5.Meet some friends that I only know through emails and phone calls.
6. Write a book.
7. Adopt a child.
8. Live more like Christ

As for the 8 TV programs, I really don’t watch TV.



As for the tags, if you wnat to do this I would love to read your answers.

Because He Lives

Greeting to you on this Easter weekend. I hope you all enjoy your time with family and friends as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and savior, and consider what it means for us that HE LIVES. For me His life, and His presence in my life, helps me face all of my tomorrows and ensures that I have a place to call home in eternity.

Grateful that He Lives,

Melissa

I'm Singing

I find the Internet to be pretty amazing in terms of the wealth of information that is just a mouse click away. Today, while searching for something I stumbled upon the inspirational music of Keri Jobe. Her song “I’m singing” became a fast favorite. As I listen I am drawn to the concept that no matter the tempest that tries to engulf me the gifts of comfort, grace, peace and salvation that our Lord provides are enough to keep me singing His name.

No matter what I may experience in this life I pray that I always find reason to delight in the Lord, and never stop singing His praise. He deserves all that I am and so much more. To here this beautiful song you can visit Keri’s myspace by clicking here.

May you find reason to sing to Him this week and forever.

Singing to Our King,

Melissa